Majestic Giants: The Gentle and Loyal English Mastiff
Fun Fact
Zorba, a Mastiff once held the record for the World’s Largest Dog weighing in a staggering 155 kilograms!
About
Mastiffs date back to the Roman Empire where they were used as war dogs and in arenas to fight gladiators. The modern English Mastiff was bred in the late 19th century in Britain. These are a massive breed of dogs bred to hunt bears, bulls and lions. They were also used in dog fights and had a fearsome reputation. Wealthy people kept and bred Mastiffs and started the first recorded pedigree. It is said that the modern English Mastiff derived from Pugnaces Britanniae and Alaunt breeds. It is now bred as guard dogs and house pets.
Appearance
English Mastiffs are a massive muscular breed of dogs where males typically weigh between 75-105 kilograms and females between 60-85 kilograms. They have a massive body and a broad squarish head with a wrinkled forehead. They have a short snout and hanging lips. They have a short coarse top coat with a dense undercoat. They have a black mask on their face with small V shaped ears. The coat colour coat is usually Fawn and Black.
Temperament
English Mastiffs are gentle, calm, affectionate, and loving towards their family. They can be very protective when encountering strangers. It isn’t a dog for beginners as they can be stubborn and since they are very large, it is not easy to control like other dogs. If not trained from when they are puppies, they can show aggression.
LifeSpan/Health
Due to their massive size, English Mastiffs have an average life span between 8-10 years. Major issues with the breed are Hip Dysplasia and Gastric Dilatation Volvulus which is a condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists. They are also prone to canine cancer, especially Bone Cancer and Osteosarcoma. Another regular issue with them is Obesity Hypothyroidism which is a condition where the body doesn’t generate enough thyroid hormone. They also develop eye diseases such as Canine Cataracts which cause blurry eyes. The key to try and increase their life expectancy is to make sure they have a proper diet, required exercise/walking, timely medication, yearly Vaccinations, Deworming tablets every three months and regular blood tests with the Vet regarding their overall health.
Maintenance
English Mastiffs are not easy to maintain. Their large body requires a lot of space to move around and this is not the dog for apartments or small living spaces. They are not pocket friendly when it comes to feeding and need a balanced diet as they eat a lot. Their coats need to be brushed twice a week and the wrinkles on the face needs to be cleaned frequently to avoid infections and kept dry. During shedding season, be prepared to collect a massive amount of hair if not cared for. They shouldn’t be made to run for the first two years of their life to avoid joint issues. They need a minimum of 45 minutes of walk per day.
Good food and nutrition is significant. Awareness of what to feed and how much to feed is extremely important. Processed food is not ideal due to the chemicals used causing increasing effects on the gut. Bloating, digestive issues, stinky stool, diarrhea, obesity and dehydration are some of the most common issues faced.
Canine diet requires a blend of fresh and natural ingredients . It should include the right amount of protein, fibre, fat and carbohydrate. We understand that it is not easy to make fresh food at home on a daily basis which meets all the nutritional requirements.
We at Genie Pet Meal understand the nutritional requirement of each dog because we customise the food according to the requirement. 100% fresh and natural ingredients like Chicken, 7 types of Vegetables, Rice, Egg white and other ingredients combined in the right quantity makes our food extremely healthy! It’s tailor made for your dog as we keep in mind the importance of giving the best to your fur ball.
